A review on carbon-rich molecules in space

TL;DR

This review summarizes the current understanding of various carbon-rich molecules in space, including their synthesis, spectral properties, and potential presence, highlighting recent discoveries like fullerenes and their derivatives.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis, spectral features, and space presence of diverse carbon-rich molecules, integrating recent findings and discussions.

Findings

Fullerenes are abundant in space.

Spectroscopic data support presence of polyynes and related compounds.

Potential existence of heavy petroleum fractions in space.

Abstract

We present and discuss carbon-rich compounds of astrochemical interest such as polyynes, acetylenic carbon chains and the related derivative known as monocyanopolyynes and dicyanopolyynes. Fullerenes are now known to be abundant in space, while fulleranes - the hydrogenated fullerenes - and other carbon-rich compounds such as very large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (VLPAHs) and heavy petroleum fractions are suspected to be present in space. We review the synthesis, the infrared spectra as well as the electronic absorption spectra of these four classes of carbon-rich molecules. The existence or possible existence in space of the latter molecules is reported and discussed.